Perspective

OK, here are the details. As I mentioned in yesterday's blog, Linda was diagnosed with a blood clot yesterday (Friday, May 18). She began taking "twice a day" shots of Lovenox along with a once daily pill of Coumadin, both anticoagulants designed to help the body take care of the clots and prevent others from forming. Some of you know exactly what I am talking about - you have been "friendly" with anticoagulants for years! My good friend at Grace, Bill Miller, was taking six shots a day in the stomach for weeks. My heart was with him during that time and will be when he must resume them. I felt sad for him, just as I felt sad for Linda yesterday.

But, we are much more upbeat today! It is not that we were ungrateful yesterday, but the new morning brings renewed gratitude to God for life (this one and the next!) and a renewed awareness that the medicine, difficult as it is, keeps Linda (and Bill) with us. Of course, when you know Jesus as your Savior, you are in a win-win situation. Remain on this earth and live the life God designed for you, blessing all those around you. "Lose" the battle to the enemies that ravage the body and be immediately in the Lord's presence (2 Corinthians 5:6-9). That is what I call a true win-win!

Well, we want Linda (and Bill) to be with us as long as the Lord will allow. That is why we continue to petition heaven for healing. We recognize that God is using medicine to extend Linda's life and it is our desire that the tumor, with all its side issues (like blod clots), will disappear and life will resume its normalcy - well, we are not quite sure what a normal life is, anyway.

For these next six days, please pray as we give Linda her shots. Autumn and I gave the shots last night and this morning, and thankfully, Audrey Laney, a sister in Christ at Grace AND a nurse, will be giving most of the shots from here out. (The cheering you hear in the background is coming from Linda - just kidding) The shots come around 10 - AM and PM - so, if you think about it . . . Of course, also pray that she will not have side effects from the medicine - a prayer that many of you offer frequently concerning your own treatment with anticoagulants.

More later. Thank you for praying and for caring so much!